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Introduction & Market Context
Norma Group AG (ETR:NOEJ) released its Q1 2025 financial results on May 6, 2025, revealing a significant decline in profitability despite improved cash flow. The company’s shares have been under pressure, trading at €11.60 as of May 5, 2025, well below its 52-week high of €19.80 but above the 52-week low of €9.07.
The presentation highlighted both the challenging quarter and the company’s strategic transformation plans aimed at adapting to what management describes as the "New Normal" in the global economic and geopolitical environment. The company is shifting focus toward becoming an "Industrial Powerhouse" with plans to divest its water management business.
Quarterly Performance Highlights
Norma Group reported Q1 2025 sales of €284.2 million, representing a 7.9% decrease from €308.5 million in Q1 2024. The decline was primarily driven by a 9.0% volume decrease, partially offset by positive currency translation effects of €3.9 million.
As shown in the following comprehensive summary of key Q1 2025 metrics:
Profitability metrics showed a concerning trend, with adjusted EBIT falling to €10.3 million from €25.7 million in the prior-year quarter. The adjusted EBIT margin contracted significantly to 3.6% from 8.3% in Q1 2024. Despite the profit squeeze, the company managed to improve its net operating cash flow to €3.1 million, compared to a negative €2.3 million in Q1 2024.
The detailed profit and loss development reveals the pressure points affecting the company’s performance:
Regional Performance Analysis
Norma Group’s regional performance showed varying degrees of weakness across its global operations. The Americas region demonstrated relative resilience with a 3.5% sales decline to €131 million and an adjusted EBIT margin of 9.6% (down from 11.1% in Q1 2024).
The EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) was the hardest hit, with sales dropping 12.2% to €120 million and adjusted EBIT margin turning negative at -1.0%, compared to a positive 7.4% in Q1 2024. The APAC region (Asia-Pacific) saw sales decline by 8.0% to €34 million, with adjusted EBIT margin contracting to 5.5% from 6.9%.
The following chart illustrates the regional EBIT margin performance:
The company’s sales are distributed across three regions, with Americas representing 46%, EMEA 42%, and APAC 12% of total sales. This regional breakdown is visualized in the top-line development slide:
Strategic Initiatives & Transformation
In response to the challenging business environment, Norma Group unveiled a comprehensive transformation program aimed at adapting its structures to what it calls the "New Normal." The company emphasized that since 2020, the economic and geopolitical environment has changed massively, requiring organizational adjustments to remain competitive.
The transformation plan consists of three blocks of measures:
1. Footprint optimization
2. Administrative streamlining
3. OPEX (operational expenditure) improvements
Management indicated that full details of the transformation plan will be announced with the H1 2025 results on August 12, 2025. However, they provided an example of footprint transformation involving the consolidation of two production plants in southern Jiangsu, China.
The company’s target vision is to become a "focused supplier of connection technology for industrial and mobility customers" and a "Lean Organization." This strategic shift appears to involve a greater emphasis on industrial applications and a planned divestment of the water management business, which aligns with information from the previous earnings report.
Forward-Looking Statements
Norma Group provided guidance for 2025, projecting sales in the range of €1.1 billion to €1.2 billion and an adjusted EBIT margin between 6% and 8%. The company also expects net operating cash flow between €75 million and €95 million.
The detailed 2025 guidance is presented in the following slide:
In the medium term, Norma Group aims to return to double-digit EBIT margins through its Step Up Program, which focuses on both growth and efficiency initiatives. The company’s target margin ranges are illustrated in this strategic roadmap:
Full Year 2024 Performance
The presentation also included a review of the company’s full-year 2024 results, which showed sales of €1,155.1 million, representing a 5.5% decline from 2023. Despite the revenue decrease, Norma Group maintained an adjusted EBIT margin of 8.0% for the full year.
The following slide summarizes the key financial metrics for FY 2024:
Additional financial metrics for FY 2024 include an equity ratio of 50.2%, net debt of €329.2 million, and a leverage ratio of 2.1x. The company also reported a net operating cash flow of €105.4 million for the full year.
Non-Financial Performance
Norma Group highlighted its progress in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas, including the successful implementation of new ESG reporting in accordance with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). The company achieved its 2024 targets for CO2 reduction, defective parts, and customer complaints.
The non-financial highlights are summarized in the following slide:
Conclusion
Norma Group’s Q1 2025 results reveal significant challenges, particularly in profitability and regional performance. The 7.9% sales decline and sharp contraction in adjusted EBIT margin to 3.6% underscore the difficult operating environment. The EMEA region’s negative EBIT margin is especially concerning and likely a key driver behind the company’s transformation initiative.
The announced transformation program signals management’s recognition of the need for structural changes to adapt to the post-pandemic economic landscape. The strategic shift toward becoming an "Industrial Powerhouse" with a focus on industrial applications and mobility appears to be a response to changing market dynamics.
Investors will be watching closely for the detailed transformation plan to be announced with the H1 2025 results, as well as for signs of improvement in the EMEA region’s performance. The company’s ability to execute its transformation while maintaining operational stability will be critical to achieving its medium-term goal of returning to double-digit EBIT margins.
Full presentation:
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